Post by vikingpwr on Feb 25, 2023 0:34:45 GMT -6
“Here’s the thing I know about B Flo: He’s not going to take the job if he doesn’t want it,” Pioli said. “I’m just so happy for his wife, Jennifer, and their kids.”
Others relate to Pioli’s joy, including Flores’ former players. Their impressions of their former coach, paired with Pioli’s recollections of his former colleague, provide a window into what the Vikings have added — in the form of a leader and a defensive thinker.
Others relate to Pioli’s joy, including Flores’ former players. Their impressions of their former coach, paired with Pioli’s recollections of his former colleague, provide a window into what the Vikings have added — in the form of a leader and a defensive thinker.
“He said something all the time. I’m going to have to think about what it was.”
For a few seconds, Nate Ebner, a Patriots safety from 2012-21, was silent over the phone.
Finally, he blurted the word.
“Complacency!”
“Flo’s biggest thing of all the years was: ‘I’m not going to coach a complacent group. We’re not going to get complacent just because we think we’re good,’” Ebner said. “Complacency was his biggest word. We will not be complacent.”
For a few seconds, Nate Ebner, a Patriots safety from 2012-21, was silent over the phone.
Finally, he blurted the word.
“Complacency!”
“Flo’s biggest thing of all the years was: ‘I’m not going to coach a complacent group. We’re not going to get complacent just because we think we’re good,’” Ebner said. “Complacency was his biggest word. We will not be complacent.”
Inside the meeting room, seated alongside teammates such as Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and others, Ebner observed a serious young coach who embraced his responsibility.
“B Flo definitely took accountability for the fact that if a guy in his room did not do well, it was a reflection on him,” Ebner said. “And I think some coaches try to distance themselves from that a little bit. But he took that seriously.”
Tavon Wilson, another Patriots safety from 2012-15, was struck initially by Flores’ sense of urgency; how Flores focused on what it looked like to do something right, as opposed to dwelling on why something went wrong.
Wilson rehashed a phrase.
“No excuses, no explanations,” Wilson said
“His biggest thing was, if you make a mistake, we can talk through it and try to fix it,” Wilson said. “But we ain’t gonna make no excuses about it. We ain’t gonna have a long drawn out conversation about some s— that happened.”
Early in his Patriots career, Wilson failed to see what Flores believed he could accomplish. It may not have always been easy to hear Flores’ urging, but Wilson sensed genuineness in each of Flores’ challenges.
“I can say that he was always coming from a place of him wanting me to want more for myself,” Wilson said. “I appreciate him for that. He’s a big part of my success, and a person who has helped me want things more for myself and help me see the bigger picture.”
“B Flo definitely took accountability for the fact that if a guy in his room did not do well, it was a reflection on him,” Ebner said. “And I think some coaches try to distance themselves from that a little bit. But he took that seriously.”
Tavon Wilson, another Patriots safety from 2012-15, was struck initially by Flores’ sense of urgency; how Flores focused on what it looked like to do something right, as opposed to dwelling on why something went wrong.
Wilson rehashed a phrase.
“No excuses, no explanations,” Wilson said
“His biggest thing was, if you make a mistake, we can talk through it and try to fix it,” Wilson said. “But we ain’t gonna make no excuses about it. We ain’t gonna have a long drawn out conversation about some s— that happened.”
Early in his Patriots career, Wilson failed to see what Flores believed he could accomplish. It may not have always been easy to hear Flores’ urging, but Wilson sensed genuineness in each of Flores’ challenges.
“I can say that he was always coming from a place of him wanting me to want more for myself,” Wilson said. “I appreciate him for that. He’s a big part of my success, and a person who has helped me want things more for myself and help me see the bigger picture.”
Flores’ lasting impressions on his former players are limitless.
Beyond his disdain for complacency and his lack of time for excuses, Ebner cited an almost surprising amount of transparency.
In the lead-up to a game early in his Patriots career, Ebner practiced as the “Money” position in the team’s six-defensive back package. He manned the practice reps. He studied before the game as if the role was his. Late in the week, however, Flores informed Ebner that his bosses were thinking about using another player in that role.
“We had conversations,” Ebner said, “and I remember him saying, ‘I want you to know that I’m going to tell them that I think you’re the guy.’ They decided against it, and he made sure to say afterward, ‘I want you to know I spoke to them.’ He would fight for his guys.”
Pioli respected Flores’ willingness to offer his beliefs.
“He’s 100 percent honest,” Pioli said. “He’s an honest man in a world that sometimes, right now, can’t handle honesty.”
In thinking about the work necessary to reshape the Vikings’ defense, honesty is a nice place to start. And if Flores’ path tells us anything, it should be this: Your expectations as to what’s possible pale in comparison to the man Minnesota hired.
Beyond his disdain for complacency and his lack of time for excuses, Ebner cited an almost surprising amount of transparency.
In the lead-up to a game early in his Patriots career, Ebner practiced as the “Money” position in the team’s six-defensive back package. He manned the practice reps. He studied before the game as if the role was his. Late in the week, however, Flores informed Ebner that his bosses were thinking about using another player in that role.
“We had conversations,” Ebner said, “and I remember him saying, ‘I want you to know that I’m going to tell them that I think you’re the guy.’ They decided against it, and he made sure to say afterward, ‘I want you to know I spoke to them.’ He would fight for his guys.”
Pioli respected Flores’ willingness to offer his beliefs.
“He’s 100 percent honest,” Pioli said. “He’s an honest man in a world that sometimes, right now, can’t handle honesty.”
In thinking about the work necessary to reshape the Vikings’ defense, honesty is a nice place to start. And if Flores’ path tells us anything, it should be this: Your expectations as to what’s possible pale in comparison to the man Minnesota hired.
... and neither is this Chris guy.